Howcast

How to Create an Artist Portfolio

Howcast — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:02:14 +0000

Step 1: Establish a goal and vision Establish a goal and a vision for your portfolio by understanding who your audience is, what you want to show them, and what type of response you’d like.
Step 2: Select your best work Select your best work to include in the portfolio. Use only finished prints that are matted, signed, dated, and titled.
Step 3: Be sure prints are free of fingerprints Be sure your prints are free of fingerprints, and that mats are well cut with straight lines.
Step 4: Find a critic Get a friend or colleague to critique your work to ensure it is well edited. A second pair of eyes always helps.
TIP: Know what the viewers of your portfolio want to see, and tailor it as needed. Keep several selections of work for specific audiences.
Step 5: Create a digital portfolio Create a digital portfolio with scanned documents and digital photographs. House these on your computer in a folder titled “Portfolio.”
FACT: Did you know? About 63 percent of artists work as self-employed professionals.

Howcast — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:33:01 +0000

Step 1: Make list of art galleries Make a list of local art galleries including addresses and contact information.
Step 2: Visit galleries Visit galleries and ask gallery owners or representatives about portfolio submission requirements.
Step 3: Select artwork for portfolio Select artwork for your portfolio. Galleries may require artist portfolios in slide format, as digital files on DVD, or posted online.
Step 4: Enter artwork in juried competitions Enter artwork in juried exhibition competitions sponsored by galleries or nonprofit organizations.
TIP: Some competitions are scams that exist solely for entry fees. Ask questions before submitting work.
Step 5: Join local art organizations Join local art organizations to network with fellow artists as well as art supporters.
Step 6: Take college art courses Take art courses at a local college or university. Art classes are prime networking opportunities.
Step 7: Form artist cooperative with friends Form an artist cooperative with artist friends and create your own exhibition space along with word-of-mouth buzz about your work.
TIP: Select cooperative members carefully. Treat this as a business venture and require members to sign a contract.
Step 8: Submit work to online gallery Submit work to an online art gallery or start your own online gallery.
FACT: London’s prestigious Saatchi Gallery sponsors an online gallery aimed at providing a venue for emerging artists worldwide.

Howcast — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:46:52 +0000

Step 1: Set up fans for ventilation Set up fans in doorways and windows to ventilate your studio, pumping clean air in and blowing dust and fumes out.
Step 2: Make a work space Pick an area in the studio to work, ideally someplace well-lit. Defining a workspace will help keep your private and professional lives separate.
Step 3: Set up lights Set up additional lights around the studio to make sure that your workspace will always have consistent and controllable lighting conditions.
TIP: If you’re a painter, avoid setting up your workspace near a window, as changing light throughout the day can affect the appearance of colors and shades.
Step 4: Paint the walls white Paint the walls white. Not only will the color make the space look open and clean for viewing art, but white has a soothing emotional effect.
Step 5: Organize your materials Organize your materials and keep them that way. Obviously a painter and a sculptor will have different tools and resources, but the appeal and accessibility of a neat studio is universal.
TIP: Keep backup supplies of popular items. This way you won’t have to interrupt your creative mood if you run out of spray paint or misplace your welding goggles.
Step 6: Plug in your stereo Plug in your stereo. Even if you typically work in silence, background music can be a good way to clear your mind, cover other noise, or get over a creative block.
FACT: Salvador Dalí made more than 1,500 paintings in his career.